I had Radiesse injected into cheeks, and now I have lump under eye. Can it be fixed?

I’m very sorry to hear of your troubles. As seen in your photographs, you have a fairly significant nodule from the Radiesse injection. This kind of complication is precisely the reason why Radiesse should never be used in the thin skinned vicinity underneath the eye. At this stage, you have a few options which include waiting for the product to dissipate on its own, injecting the nodule with saline or steroid in an attempt to break it up fasting, or attempting a surgical excision. I strongly recommend that you visit a Board Certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with experience in handling these complications. Good luck!

Radiesse is a stimulatory filler that is an excellent option for patients who desire a longer-lasting filler alternative to hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. In our office, we use Radiesse to complement structural areas of the face and contour bony prominences. Our office also is a center of excellence for filler complication treatments and we see patients who have been treated by other doctors and have undesirable results from Radiesse or other long-lasting fillers. We have treatment options available for Radiesse filler nodules, granulomas, and soft tissue thickening. The first step would be to diagnose the nodularity and determine whether there is an option for surgical vs. non-surgical removal. Surgical excision is a possibility in some patients; whereas others with more diffuse fillers may benefit from intralesional therapy using scar modulators and enzymes and kenalog. Radiesse complications may be long-lasting and prompt action is key. Patients who have no access to an expert in the field should begin gentle massage of the areas of nodularity with Plato’s Scar Serum twice daily. RF and invasive lasers can actually do more damage by stimulating further collagen growth.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

I appreciate your question.Radiesse should be used for deeper correction and not superficial under the eye.Since it is calcium based your body will break it down. If it is a lump, you my need this aspirated or excised.The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.best of luck!Dr Schwartz

Thank you for sharing your case and photographs.  I am sorry to hear about your complication after filler injections.  Excision of the nodule may be necessary, but may leave a visible scar.  I would continue to massage over the area and give it time for your body to break down the product.  Schedule a consultation with a surgeon who has experience in injecting and removing filler products.  Good luck!

If this is truly a Radiesse nodule it will be very difficult to treat but can be treated ... saline injections, massage, and subcision really help.  I suggest seeing a board certified dermatologist for future treatments and to have this taken care of.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Best to wait a bit longer before considering surgical removal. Consider seeing an oculoplastic surgeon (eyelid plastic surgeon). 

Topical heat or RF needle will help dissolve this quicker than normal.Dr H Karamanoukian#RealSelf100 Member

Unfortunately, there is very little that can be done 3 weeks after treatment to dissolve the filler. Occasionally, a steroid injection will help reduce it but it will not completely dissolve. Another option is 5-FU injection. Most of the time, however, the lump will need to come down slowly on its own. An excision of the nodule here could leave a visible scar.

The bump under your eye is likely Radiesse that somehow ended up there.    You need to see a boadr certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist for this very difficult problem.  My Best,  Dr Commons

 Hi, there are no injectable solutions that can be used to dissolve Radiesse, like the HA fillers.  You can try some gentle massage, of the nodule, or contact the MD that injected your cheeks with Radiesse for further advice.  This is the main reason that I prefer using Perlane (now called Restylane Lyft) for cheek augmentation when using a dermal filler.  It's not as lumpy and should a lump occur it can be dissolved with hyaluronidase quite easily.  Hope this helps.